Abstract Details

We performed SMILE surgery in 229 eyes (120 patients) (main group) by using VISUMAX femto-laser platform (“Carl Zeiss Meditec”). The “excimer” control groups consisted of LASIK (115 eyes, 59 patients) and PRK (86 eyes, 43 patients). The lenticule was extracted from the stroma through a 2.0 to 4.14 mm incision by using forceps and single instrument. The age of our patients in all groups was from 18 to 44 years. Follow-up period was up to 14 month.

Results:

SMILE procedure was performed well in all patients, only 4 eyes suffered from the suction loss, there were epithelial defects in 5 eyes, there was epithelial ingrowth in 1 eye. The incidence of diffuse lamellar keratitis after SMILE was very low, and no other complications, including haze, serious opaque bubble layer and optical zone decentration, were observed. All patients gained high mean UCVA (0.84 in 1 post-op day, 0.93 in 1 post-op month, and 1.02 3 post-op month), no eyes had decrease of BCVA.

Conclusions:

ReLEx® SMILE operation is a very safe, predictable, and effective procedure in treating myopia and myopic astigmatism. There is no flap created in SMILE, the anterior stromal lamellae remain intact everywhere except for the small 2-4.14 mm incision. Biomechanical corneal stability after SMILE is relatively higher, than after LASIK surgery.